Damar Hamlin: NFL player’s condition ‘moving in a positive direction’, friend says
The health of Damar Hamlin, the American football player who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game, is “moving in a positive direction”, a friend has said.
Hamlin, 24, has been in a critical condition in hospital since Monday evening when he collapsed on the field in Cincinnati.
Jordon Rooney, his friend and business partner, said medics had seen signs of progress.
“Things are moving in a positive direction, what the doctors were looking to see I think they saw that,” he said.
“Things are moving in the right direction.”
(L-R) Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed after tackling Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Pic: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Hamlin’s team, the Buffalo Bills, have said he remains in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
But the Bills also said that despite still being critical, there were “signs of improvement” on Tuesday and overnight.
“He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him,” the team said in a tweet.
Mr Rooney said the player is still sedated and he also sought to clarify reports that Hamlin had to be resuscitated twice on the pitch.
“There were some reports last night that he was resuscitated twice, I wanted to clarify that was misspoke, he was only resuscitated once,” Mr Rooney said.
“Outside of that, things have just been moving in the right direction, but there’s not clarity at this point in terms of how long things are going to be, how long it’s going to take, where things are going to go.
“So for the family it’s just a matter of seeing more positive signs and hopefully keep building on that.”
Heart stopped before being ‘restored’ on pitch
The Buffalo Bills star was given CPR for around 10 minutes after he was injured following a tackle he made during the match against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The defensive back had collided with wide receiver Tee Higgins.
During the incident on the pitch, Higgins led with his right shoulder, which hit Hamlin in the chest.
Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to drag him down.
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Tearful players surround Damar Hamlin
Higgins managed to get to his feet and appeared to adjust his helmet before tumbling backwards and lying motionless.
The Bills said his heart stopped before his heartbeat was “restored” on the pitch by medical staff.
His football shirt was cut off and he was reportedly given oxygen.
Family express ‘sincere gratitude’
On Tuesday Hamlin’s family expressed their “sincere gratitude for the love and support” shown to him during “this challenging time” and thanked the first responders and hospital staff in Cincinnati.
They asked supporters to keep him in their prayers, and said: “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words and donations from fans around the country.”
His family added: “We also want to acknowledge the dedicated first responders and healthcare professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who have provided exceptional care to Damar.
“We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organisation and to have their support. We also want to thank Coach (Zac) Taylor and the Bengals for everything they’ve done.
“Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them.”
It has led to a surge in donations for a charitable campaign set up by Hamlin two years ago to purchase toys for children in need, with donations passing $6m (£5m).
Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalised following a car crash in New Hampshire, a spokesperson for the former New York City mayor said.
Mr Giuliani suffered “a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg” when his vehicle was struck from behind while driving on a highway near Manchester on Saturday evening, according to Michael Ragusa, Mr Giuliani’s head of security.
“He sustained injuries but is in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” Mr Ragusa said in a statement on X, adding: “This was not a targeted attack.”
Mr Giuliani was in a rental car and “no one knew it was him”, according to Mr Ragusa.
His head of security said the 81-year-old had been “flagged down by a woman who was the victim of a domestic violence incident” and contacted police on her behalf. The crash shortly after was “random and unrelated” to the domestic violence incident, Mr Ragusa said.
Rudy Giuliani attended Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in January. Pic: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via Reuters
Mr Giuliani, who worked as an attorney for Donald Trump in his failed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, is expected to be released from hospital in a few days.
His son, Andrew Giuliani, thanked people for reaching out after hearing about his father’s accident, writing on X: “Your prayers mean the world.”
“As a son, I can tell you that I’m honored to have a Dad that I can call the toughest SOB I’ve ever seen,” he added.
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US
US blocks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials from United Nations’ annual meeting in New York
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials have been blocked from attending September’s annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has revoked the US visas of delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and denied others from applying for one.
It is the latest step by Donald Trump’s administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions, and follows the suspension of a programme to allow injured children from Gaza to receive treatment in the US.
Mahmoud Abbas addressed the general assembly in 2024, but is barred from next month’s meeting. Pic: Reuters
“It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” a statement from the US State Department said.
It added that, to be considered partners for peace, both groups “must consistently repudiate terrorism, and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO”.
Offensive will cause ‘intolerable deaths’
Several US allies, including France, Malta, and Australia have announced plans to recognise Palestine as a state at September’s United Nations General Assembly. Canada and the UK will too, unless Israel meets certain conditions.
Israel declared Gaza’s largest city a dangerous combat zone on Friday.
The army launched a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.
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Thick smoke rises from Gaza City after Israeli strikes
Foreign ministers from Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain released a joint statement saying the military operations in Gaza City will cause “intolerable deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians”.
Gaza latest: Israel’s Gaza City offensive condemned
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in Gaza City while enduring famine.
An Israeli armoured vehicle in northern Gaza on Friday. Pic: AP
Palestinians ride a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Gaza City. Pic: AP
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Riyad Mansour, said Mr Abbas had planned to lead the delegation to the UN meetings and was expected to address the general assembly at the general debate, which begins on 23 September.
He was also expected to attend a high-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on 22 September about a two-state solution, a broad idea involving Israel coexisting with an independent Palestinian state.
The State of Palestine is an observer member of the UN, meaning it can speak at meetings but not vote on resolutions.
The State of Palestine cannot vote on UN resolutions. Pic: AP
US decision ‘contravenes international law’
The Palestinian Authority “expressed its deep regret and astonishment” at the visa decision, calling it “a violation of US commitments” as the host of the UN, and claiming it “contravenes international law”.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body would be seeking clarification in the “hope that this will be resolved”.
Hundreds of diplomats left when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu began speaking at the general assembly in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The State Department said that the Palestinian Authority’s mission to the UN, comprising officials who are permanently based there, would not be included in the restrictions.
Under a 1947 UN agreement, the US is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the UN in New York.
But Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons.
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The death toll in Gaza has now risen to 63,025, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
It also reported five more malnutrition-related deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number during the war to 322, with 121 of them children.
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